A 400-acre property in Hubbardton that includes meadows, trails and a Japanese garden, will become Vermont's newest state park in coming weeks, according to the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

The Taconic Mountains Ramble is a gift from the estate of the author and documentary filmmaker, Carson "Kit" Davidson, who died Sept. 29 at the age of 92, a release from the department states.

The department on Wednesday provided other details from the transaction:

Davidson and his wife, Mickie Davidson a children's book author, were living in Greenwich Village, New York City, when they bought the property in 1966.

The farm property, then owned by Clayton Calvin, sold for $69 per acre. The couple began commuting to Hubbardton on weekends and vacations.

The Davidsons were generous in allowing public access. Placing the land in state ownership guarantees it will remain open for perpetuity.

Maintenance and repairs on the property will be funded through the Davidson Estate.

Until the state creates a long-term management plan, the Davidson's existing guidelines for visitors remain in place: no overnight stays, no smoking and no fires.

"The Department and our stewardship team recognize how important the garden, trails, and open access to the land were to the Davidsons," wrote Commissioner Michael Snyder in a prepared statement. "We are honored to continue these traditions in this special place."

This story was first posted on Oct. 6, 2016.

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